Love is Brewing…

Every bride wants to be different, unique, please her guests, and have that one thing that makes everyone say, “Wow! Such a good idea!”

Let me tell you, the ordinary drip coffee that comes with your venue or catering company might not provide that ‘wow’ factor.

But there are other options to give your guests that extra “pick me up” after dinner that’s guaranteed to get everyone dancing all night long!

Even if you’re not having a late wedding, you could enjoy espresso as you’re getting all dolled up in the morning, after the service, midday, or even making it an ad

dition to your cocktail hour!

Have you ever wanted a personal barista, someone equipped with all the knowledge and skills, that will make the perfect cappuccino just for you? That’s espresso bar catering.

There are many options to make your wedding unique: the perfect venue, décor, a photo booth, an awesome DJ, and now, your own personal barista and espresso bar.

You’re probably thinking: “I paid for a caterer, they come with coffee and tea.” Yes, but imagine the perfect espresso, that sweet crema and caramel notes – that is the treat your guests should be enjoying after the caterer does what they do best: food.

Also, you have a barista that greets each and every one of your guests with a smile and friendly service.

Just like a bar, espresso bar catering can be open for service for as long or as little as you’d like, giving your guests the choice of when they want an espresso – even if that means jumping off the dance floor for that quick extra burst of energy.

We know that your day is all about you, so let’s make it just that! Got a wedding hashtag, or a cute theme? Put that on your lattes! It’ll definitely be Instagram worthy, making your wedding the one everyone is talking about.

Speaking of lattes, there’s so much more to offer! Cappuccino, macchiato, espresso, americano, or any flavour addition…You name it, you can have it!

So, why not add this Pinterest pinnable, Instagram worthy service to your wedding and relax knowing your guests are enjoying the perfect after dinner espresso bella.

Beverage Basics

Not everyone is a born coffee-drinker and we often forget that not everyone knows the in’s and out’s of coffee or espresso beverages. For those that may be out of their comfort zone walking into a traditional café or ordering an espresso, I’m going to give you a breakdown of the 4 most commonly confused espresso-based beverages: Espresso, Macchiato, Latte, and Cappuccino.

When the perfect espresso is poured, you can distinctly see three layers with the last being a sweet crema. The lowest layer is the strongest tasting, with a full body and roasty flavour. The second layer usually blends into the lowest quickly but contains all of the identifiable flavour profiles of the espresso. The third layer is the most beautiful. If done correctly, your espresso will be topped with a rich hazelnut-coloured crema that has a smooth mouthfeel and a sweet finish.

If you’re not a straight espresso type of person, try opting for a macchiato. A traditional macchiato contains a shot or two of espresso and is topped with just a little frothed milk for a richer mouthfeel and creamier taste. Adding this small amount of frothed milk can turn your quick espresso into a lasting beverage.

A traditional Italian macchiato is not to be confused with newer, westernized beverages that can sometimes be quite large in size.

One step up from a macchiato is a latte. By just adding a bit more frothed milk, and a layer of fluffy foam you have the simplest yet delicious espresso beverage. Most espresso blends are roasted to create flavour profiles that can not only withstand a large amount of milk, but also compliment the creaminess that frothed milk offers. Lattes are made

by frothing enough milk to fill your cup and poured on an angle to allow the milk to mix with the espresso and the foam to be layered on top. As someone that may not enjoy plain espresso and often takes his or her coffee with creamer or milk, a latte is a great place to start. Consider adding flavoured syrups or spiced toppings to your foam as well!

Not to be confused with a latte, although they are quite similar, a cappuccino is probably the most decadent of these four beverages. Because it only contains a small amount of frothed milk and is mainly comprised of foam, cappuccinos can be described as dessert-like. Cappuccinos are made by frothing the milk for just a tad longer than a latte or holding the frothing pitcher at just the right angle to allow the steam to create a wet foam. When poured, the froth should mix with the espresso and become a canvas of rich brown and golden colours allowing the entire beverage to be a thick consistency.

It’s said that true Italian cappuccinos are no more than 8oz. of liquid and are traditionally stirred after serving to incorporate all of the flavours.

Now you’re a pro at determining which flavour, texture, and size of beverage best suits you!

Benefits of Cinnamon and Coffee – Lose weight!

My Mother recently just came back from a trip to California to see my Grandmother and a friend of hers was telling her all about how she started adding cinnamon to her coffee and had lost 5 pounds already in over a weeks time!

Now before you get too excited, everyone’s metabolism and body types/weights are different. So what might work for some may not work for others. The idea of adding cinnamon to my coffee/teas really got me thinking what types of benefits does cinnamon have that causes a person to lose weight?

So, after doing some research, I came up with the reason and several other wonderful benefits of cinnamon.

– Cinnamon has an effect on blood sugar that makes it a potential help in the battle against weight, insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome
– Cinnamon reduces blood sugar and increases insulin levels
– Reduces Bad Cholesterol while keeping the good cholesterol stable
– Boosts the Immune System while removing fatique & increasing longevity
– Treats colds & Influenza
– Helps Brain Function & Memory (this I need!)
– Helps the digestive system- removes flatulence, indigestion, soothes the tummy
– Suppresses the bacteria that causes UTI and fungus associated with yeast infections
– Natural Pain Reliever- I’ve personally used cinnamon for toothaches & cramps and have had instant relief, whereas tylenol or advil take a while to kick in
– Excellent source of manganese, calcium, fiber and iron
And not to mention… adding cinnamon to coffee enhances the flavor! I am definitely sold on the cinnamon idea whether it helps me lose weight or not- the health benefits alone are enough reason to start using cinnamon.
I’ve also been hearing about how cinnamon and honey mixed in boiling water helps with weight loss- just Google cinnamon & honey weightloss and you will see what I mean:

Boil 1 cup of water and add 1/2 tsp. cinnamon powder and 1 tsp honey: drink 1 cup in the a.m. on an empty stomach and 1 cup in the p.m.

I haven’t tried this yet- but some people say it has helped them to lose weight. Personally, I figure it can’t hurt, so why not try it? Even as I am typing, I am steeping some Yerba Mate Tea and I have my cinnamon & honey on hand! I am going to try to start having 2 cups per day and seeing if I have any positive results and I will come back and update. If you decide to try this out- let me know if it works for you!